Official newsletter of the U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal. A gathering of key stories and photos that capture some of the action at the U.S. Army's manufacturing center at Watervliet, N.Y. This is a low resolution edition and so, if you wish to have a higher resolution copy, please send a note to: usarmy.watervliet.tacom.list.wvapublicaffairs@mail.mil The Watervliet Arsenal (pronounced water-vleet) is an Army-owned and -operated manufacturing facility located in Watervliet, New York. The Arsenal is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations during the War of 1812.

1. TeamWatervliet
TeamWatervliet
bidsfarewellto
bidsfarewellto
deputy
deputy
Deputy to the commander retires
Deputy to the commander retires
Page 4
Page 4
1st Quarter FY23 Awards
1st Quarter FY23 Awards
WVA employees receive recognition
WVA employees receive recognition
Page 6
Page 6
U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813
U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813 January 2023
January 2023
Arsenal gun records go digital
Arsenal gun records go digital
Major overhaul of records underway
Major overhaul of records underway
Page 3
Page 3

2. Page 2 The Salvo
Commander’s Corner
Col. Alain G. Fisher
In December, we bid fair well to Alice Crayon,
the Deputy to the Commander, as she retired after
more than 34 years of Army Civilian service. Alice’s
commitment to this arsenal throughout her career
played an important role in our future success. I join the
rest of Team Watervliet in thanking Alice for her service
and wish her well into retirement. I look forward to
working with our next deputy to lead this arsenal into
the future.
As you are aware, U.S. Army Materiel Command
is in the throes of executing a comprehensive Organic
Industrial Base (OBI) Modernization Implementation
Plan (MIP) focusing on the prioritization and
synchronization of resources toward critical facilities
and capabilities. Watervliet Arsenal is at the forefront
of this effort – because what we do is vitally important
to national security and supporting the joint force.
Today the Arsenal is currently in the process of
modernizing equipment, facilities, and manufacturing
processes. A big part of this modernization effort is
ensuring that our processes take full advantage of the
latest technology available. There has been a major
effort to digitize hundreds of thousands of paper gun
records and put in place a process to capture data
along production digitally to eliminate future paper
trails. This effort streamlines how we input important
manufacturing and quality information and ultimately
helps us produce a better product. Great job team.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to check out the
future events we have happening on the arsenal
through our special observance and child youth
services teams. These events help build our team and
enrich our culture, please consider participating if able.
Forging the future since 1813!
Col. Alain G. Fisher
63rd Commander, Watervliet Arsenal
Greetings Team Watervliet, I continue to be impressed every
day by the professionalism and dedication to duty this team
brings to the table each day. This issue of the Salvo features
some of the latest developments and ongoing activities at
Watervliet Arsenal. I am proud to share them with you and to
represent Watervliet Arsenal out in community engagements.
Commander: Col. Alain G. Fisher
Public Affairs Officer: Matthew I. Day
Photography: Tanya Bissaillon, Matthew I. Day
www.wva.army.mil
www.facebook.com/WatervlietArsenal
The Arsenal Salvo is an authorized monthly publication for
members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Salvo are
not necessarily the official views of, or an endorsement by the U.S.
Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the
Army, or the Watervliet Arsenal.
News may be submitted for publication by sending articles to
Public Affairs Officer, 1 Buffington Street, Bldg. 10, Watervliet, NY
12189, or stop by office #102, Bldg. 10, Watervliet Arsenal. The editor
may also be reached at (518) 266.5055 or by email: matthew.i.day.
civ@army.mil. The editor reserves the right to edit all information
submitted for publication.
U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813

3. Page 3
January 2023
Story by: Matthew Day
Today, Watervliet Arsenal is once again leading the way
by digitizing cannon and component records dating back
several decades. These records make up what is known as
a“gun book”and include information on material certifi-
cations, quality inspection data, manufacturing steps, and
any surface coatings applied.
Up until recently, these were archives on paper and
held at Watervliet until the weapon or weapon compo-
nent is no longer in service. The sheer volume of paper-
work generated presents a laborious and daunting task
for personnel charged with accessing information on
specific weapons. These paper records are now being
digitized and combined with metadata for effective
electronic search and recall.
The push to go digital is part of Army’s overall modern-
ization efforts which have spurred a flurry of new equip-
ment and processes to improve capabilities and efficiency
throughout the supply chain.
“This is a win for everyone, not just Watervliet Arse-
nal,”Rich Emory, Watervliet Arsenal records manager,
said.“It saves a lot of time for everyone, reduces paper-
work, and ensures records don’t get damaged or lost
during manufacturing.”
When a customer requests a record today, personnel
must first identify which storage location the record is in
and then physically go to the location to find the record.
Digitizing records greatly reduces retrieval time and gets
more information to more users.
“What used to take several hours now only takes a
few minutes,”Emory said.“I can go right in my computer
at my desk and search the serial number, shop number,
or drawing number, and pull-up the component any
which way.”
Please see GUN RECORDS 5 
Watervlietgunrecordsgodigital
Watervlietgunrecordsgodigital
Major overhaul of records underway
Major overhaul of records underway
For 209 years, Watervliet Arsenal, a subordinate organization of the Army’s Tank-automotive
and Armaments Command has been leading the way in how cannons are designed and manu-
factured.
Watervliet Arsenal Carpenter Clinton Brock Jr. wraps a pallet of gun books
to ship to a local contractor for scanning and digitization March 16. The
pallet is the first shipment of gun books and are part of a yearlong effort
to digitize the arsenal’s extensive records of all cannon and components
manufactured here.

4. Page 4 The Salvo
Crayon has been the deputy to the commander, the
highest civilian position at the Army cannon and mortar
production facility, since 2019. As deputy, she oversees
and advises the commander on all matters related to
production and managing the arsenal. Crayon is the first
woman to hold the deputy position in Watervliet Arse-
nal’s 209-year history.
“I have been so blessed to be in a position where
I am involved in something that directly benefits the
Warfighter,”Crayon said.“It takes a team of great people
to do what we do with an understanding of how critical
our mission is. We are fortunate to have such a blend of
talented people across the organization, including our
machinists and manufacturing support, logisticians,
personnel, quality, installation management and con-
tinuous improvement staff. Everyone plays an import-
ant role in the production of our products, ensuring
they arrive on time and perform flawlessly for our men
and women in uniform.”
Crayon, originally from California, began her civilian
career in the Army in 1988 as an entry-level materials
engineer for Benet Laboratories, U.S. Army Combat
Capabilities Development Command, the Army’s long-
range cannon and artillery research and engineering
branch. Crayon worked her way up through the ranks,
eventually becoming the competency manager for
Benet’s Armament Technology Division before taking
her ultimate position as the Watervliet Arsenal deputy
to the commander.
That experience at Benet proved invaluable for Cray-
on’s role at Watervliet Arsenal.
“Being an engineer and with my background at Benet,
I was able to work with each commander, helping them
understand the engineering challenges on the manu-
facturing floor,”Crayon said.“I am proud of the work this
team has done over the past three years in transforming
this organization.”
After more than 34 years of federal service as an Army Civilian, Alice Crayon, deputy to the
commander of the U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, retired at the end of December.
Story by: Matthew Day
TeamWatervlietbidsfarewelltodeputy
TeamWatervlietbidsfarewelltodeputy
Deputy to the commander retires
Deputy to the commander retires
Deputy to the Commander Alice Crayon sits with her husband Dan Cray-
on during her retirement ceremony held at Watervliet Arsenal Dec. 13.
Crayon retired after 34 years of service as an Army Civilian at Watervliet.

5. Page 5
January 2023
Crayon acknowledged the partnership that has been
fostered over the years between Watervliet Arsenal and
Benet Labs leaders.
“The relationship between Watervliet Arsenal and
Benet leadership proved beneficial to our mission and is
really a reflection of the support of our senior leaders at
AMC, TACOM, and Futures Command,”Crayon said.
Retirements are always bittersweet for the organi-
zation and the retiree. Current Watervliet Arsenal Com-
mander Col. Alain Fisher reflected on Crayon’s career and
service to the nation during a retirement ceremony held
at the arsenal on Dec. 13.
“When you look at the epitome of success and what it
means to overcome obstacles in life and rise to the high-
est levels, I can’t think of anyone other than Alice Crayon,”
Fisher said.“She began her service in 1988 and served
under 16 commanders at Watervliet Arsenal. Alice’s
career spans multiple changes across multiple organiza-
tions; one thing stayed constant — her tenacity to attack
problems.”
Fisher went on to highlight Crayon’s involvement in
numerous successful production support activities and
projects at Benet and the arsenal throughout her career,
including involvement in the development of new tech-
nologies that support next-generation weapon systems.
Fisher concluded by sharing his hopes for an enjoy-
able retirement for Crayon.
“On behalf of myself, the Watervliet Arsenal work-
force, the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command,
and Army Materiel Command, we want to wish you a
happy retirement as you transition to a new chapter in
your life,”Fisher said.
Crayon officially retired on Dec. 30 and plans to volun-
teer with local animal and faith organizations as well as
travel with her family.
Not only is there a massive reduction in paper and stor-
age costs, but the time spent finding records and retriev-
ing them translates into real cost savings.
Mark Ripley, Watervliet Arsenal’s continuous improve-
ment specialist, said.“The first part of this project, digitiz-
ing existing documents, will save more than $435,000 by
using an outside vendor to scan documents. We expect
significant cost savings once the database is active and
we eliminate time spent retrieving documents.”
The move to digital is a two-pronged approach that
focuses on digitizing existing records while developing
new processes to capture data digitally and input it
directly into the system.
“Over the course of the year, we are delivering records
to a local contracted service that will scan each record,”
Emory said.“At the same time, we are training our per-
sonnel on how to enter data so that we can eliminate
paper.”
With the new process, machinists and technicians will
input data into a single database and the arsenal can
share information on a weapon or component in a single
file. An added benefit is that engineers will also have
direct access to this digital database, eliminating the
middleman in time sensitive situations. The arsenal will
complete digitizing of gun books over the next year, with
batches of digital records available online monthly.
Gun records
 CONTINUED FROM 3
Watervliet Arsenal Commander Col. Alain Fisher presents Deputy to the
Commander Alice Crayon with her U.S. Army Certificate of Retirement
during her retirement ceremony on Dec. 13. Crayon will retired on Dec.
30, 2022 after more than 34 years of federal service as an Army Civilian.

6. Page 6 The Salvo
Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal
Scott Auguston
Daniel Clough
James Uzzo
Army Civilian Service Acheivement Medal
Brian Martino
Army Certificate of Achievement
David Medick
Christi Meyer
WVA Commander’s Coin
Jane Bronson
Amanda Smith
Rocco Granato
Length of Service Awards
5 Years
Kyle Dandeau
Zackary Smith
Robert Delsignore
Jason Ellis
Joseph Witbeck
James Cutter
Sean Sweeney
Clinton Brock
Ryan Sciacco
Holland Hale
Jarrod Haskell
Jacob Pierce
Cody Sebast
Robert Wilson
Karl Brock
Liza Uhlinger
10 Years
JMichael Caldwell
Johnathan Cronk
William Smolder
Jeromy Petch
15 Years
Dean Hartman
Jesus Guerra
Brian Ormsbee
Michael Dennin
20 Years
Terry Vanvranken
Jason Moore
30 Years
Douglas Lester
35 Years
Jane Bronson
1stquarterFY2023awards
1stquarterFY2023awards
Watervliet Arsenal employees receive recognition
Watervliet Arsenal employees receive recognition
The following employees received recognition for thier service at Watervliet Arsenal.
Aroundthearsenal
Aroundthearsenal
Upcoming events
Upcoming events
Special Observances
Women’s History Month luncheon
March 23
Holocaust Remembrance Day luncheon
April 6
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage
Month luncheon
May 18
Be sure to look for these and other exciting
events coming up in your email and on
bulletin boards.

7. Page 7
January 2023
No? You have been using 5S for years! 5S is a system or method for organizing the workplace
so tasks can be performed efficiently, effectively and safely – the philosophy is“A place for
everything and everything in its place”.
Story by: Mark Ripley
Haveyouheardof5S?
Haveyouheardof5S?
Continuous Improvement Office
Continuous Improvement Office
This system focuses on putting everything where it
belongs and keeping the workplace clean. That makes
it easier for people to do their jobs without wasting
time or risking injury. It also provides for visual man-
agement and increased communication up and down
the chain of command. It is typically the first Lean
method which organizations implement.
5S stands for five words that all start with the letter
“S”: Sort, Shine, Straighten, Standardize and Sustain.
Each“S”word represents a stage of the 5S process.
Performing each stage step-by-step from Sort through
Sustain helps you implement changes that significantly
improve your work area and make your job easier. Like
renovating a house in an old neighborhood encourag-
es everyone else to fix up their house, 5S improves the
culture.
5S has been implemented at highly successful com-
panies like Harley-Davidson, GE, Hewlett-Packard, Boe-
ing and, of course, Toyota where 5S is the foundation of
the Toyota Production System.
5S methods may be new to you but I’ll bet you have
been using 5S principles for years…at home! For exam-
ple:
• Using a silverware sorter instead of jumbling knives,
forks and spoons in a drawer (Straighten)
• Removing old clothes from your closet that you no
longer wear, to make it easier to choose from the
clothes that you do wear (Sort)
• Always leaving your car keys in the same place, every
time (Straighten)
• Vacuuming regularly, not just when company is com-
ing (Shine)
• Storing the laundry detergent near the washing ma-
chine (Straighten)
• Putting pens and pencils in a cup on the desk
(Straighten) but first, tossing out the pens that don’t
work and the pencils with no erasers (Sort)
• Posting a chore list for the family (Standardize)
• Labeling storage boxes or bins with the contents
(Straighten)
• Moving the crock pot to a closet for storage while
making sure the coffee maker is front and center on
the counter (Sort and Straighten)
• Making sure everyone in the family knows the rules
and practices them (Sustain)
Good 5S principles make it easier to do the right
thing (and harder to do the wrong thing). This applies
at home, of course, but more so at work. Why do we
have“a place for everything and everything in its place”
at home but not at work? We need to make our work-
place safer, more organized and efficient just like we
are already doing at home. Contact the Continuous
Improvement Office to discuss 5S in your workplace.